reading about some legends

by Jacques Bertinier

I love picking up little books easy and quick to read, fitting in my handbag and share great knowledge about about my favourite subject: food. I read this little gem in the tram on the way home yesterday.  

Did you know for example where the name Carpaccio comes from?  He was a painter in Venice, Italy in 15th - 16th century who was known for a red base in his paintings. This inspired Chef Cipriani to name his beef dish carpaccio, served at dinner in honour of Countess Amalia Mocenigo. 

At some point spring and hopefully summer will start in Brussels, one of my preferred drinks on a hot day is a kir, i didn't know it was named after the french mayor of Dijon from 1945 till his dead, Mr Felix Kir. He used to add creme de cassis to white Bourgogne aligote to balance the taste.

I wonder what dishes or recipes recently were named after their creator. I think you may have heard about Heston Blumenthal's "mock turtle soup" and Sat Bains' slow cooked duck eggs he served at the "Great British Menu" . I will have to dig a bit to find more. will keep you posted. Feel free to send me the ones you have found.

testing my new camera in the garden

my radish shoots

allium bulbs i planted in fall now blooming

I took the plunge to purchased a new camera (thank you Sophie) and have retired my lovely little pink one. I am still testing the camera and it took a while for this computer dummy to get it all on my mac but i did it! I am in need of a few classes in photoshop to make it all even better but all in good time.

I am working hard on a few things for the blog: i am throwing a tea party next week, Culinaria 2013 is in town next week and got my ticket, coming up in June is a culinary trip to Paris. Soon i will post a few exclusive conversations with chefs. Another scoop I am working in partnership with a brilliant designer on hostess aprons. 

kitchen tools

I am not one to fall head over heels for gadgets, promising to save time and gain accuracy while they simply clutter up my kitchen cupboards and require major washing up. Not to forget how little one actually uses them. I say NO to a "robotcop" meet "Inspector Gadget" with a touch of "Terminator" blender or kitchen robot. I am very happy chopping my veg and squeezing lemons myself. Now I do have a small blender to blend dressings and dips and a toaster but that is about it. 

Ode to my favourite kitchen tools :

my Jamie Oliver peeler

my Wusthof Petit Chef 

my cutting board secured in place with jar rubber-seals